Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "New Energy Solution Emerging for Warfighters"

Home > Press > New Energy Solution Emerging for Warfighters

Abstract:
The Defense Energy Support Center announced a contract award to Solazyme, Inc., San Francisco, for a technology advancing requirement for algae oil derived F-76, an energy fuel the U.S. Navy is scheduled to use in its alternative fuels testing and certification program.

New Energy Solution Emerging for Warfighters

Fort Belvoir, VA | Posted on September 4th, 2009

The estimated $8.5 million dollar contract represents the continued commitment by the Department of Defense to move toward an environment of energy independence and the use of alternative fuels.

"This is an important first step with algae oil derived alternative fuels," said Kim Huntley, DESC's director. "Not only are we helping the Navy meet its energy security and alternative fuels objectives, this contract also demonstrates the continued successful partnering of DESC with our warfighter customers to help them meet their emergent energy needs."

The awarded Solazyme contract evaluates a technology developed by the company, which uses new advances in genetic engineering to stimulate various strains of algae to produce a diesel fuel that is an alternative to petroleum produced from crude oil. The company will produce 20,055 gallons of the product that will meet the specifications of F-76.

"DESC is partnering with the Navy to move this alternative fuel demonstration forward," said Mark Iden, deputy director of operations for DESC. "This initiative also supports the DoD's desire to meet the intent and goals of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007."

Iden added that these contracts will help DoD comply with the lowered lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions requirements of these acts and will also increase energy security by using domestic resources.

This contract is among others the DESC is awarding in support of alternative fuels and energy sources.

Sustainable Oils, LLC, Seattle, was awarded a Hydrotreated Renewable HRJ-5 contract award for 40,000 gallons. This contract, valued at about $2.7 million, supports the Navy's fuel certification testing program of alternative fuels. The fuel itself is produced solely from camelina feedstock.

"While these contracts are now awarded, we expect more to be announced shortly," added Huntley. "DESC's mission is to provide the DoD, other government agencies and our customers with energy solutions in the most efficient and economical manner possible. With the continued growing technology in the alternative fuels and renewable energy field, our energy solutions continue to expand, and this first step with algae oil derived F-76 is an excellent example. We are moving forward."

####

About Defense Energy Support Center
The DESC is a field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency. As the Department of Defense's combat logistics support agency, DLA is responsible for providing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies, and joint and allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. These services include procuring and distributing nearly five million separate line items such as rations, medical supplies and equipment, clothing and textiles, repair parts for land, sea and air weapons systems and platforms, fuel and energy services. DLA is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., and employs 24,000 civilian and military personnel, with fiscal
2008 business revenues of $42 billion.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Kelly Widener of the Defense Energy Support Center, +1-703-767-5042,

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark: